The term "zombie debt" refers to any old debt that has suddenly "come back to life" to haunt you. Essentially, these are debts that everyone agrees are too old to collect. If you didn't pay a bill last decade, and no one took you to court over it, then the debt is too old to pursue. If a collection agenc...

Recent research shows that one in five Americans has a mistake on his or her credit report. Inaccurate information can create financial hardships that you do not deserve. Just one mistake could make it impossible for you to qualify for low-interest credit cards, mortgages, and other types of credit.
If you find...

Research from Encore Capital Group and the Urban Institute show that about 77 million Americans have debt in collections. That's a whopping 35% of American consumers who have credit files with any of the three major bureaus.
Having an account in collections can do serious damage to your credit report an...

American outstanding debt currently stands at $16 trillion. It’s said that in only 7 generations, banks would own every facet of our lives if this scary number continues to rise. Part of the reason why this number is so high is credit card debt, which currently is estimated to be about $15,000 per person. In a...

A credit score, also known as a FICO score, is a three digit numerical number that highlights your spending and borrowing habits as it relates to credit. This is an important number that you need to guard with your life because it can play a huge role in determining whether you’ll be approved for a car loan, t...

Many couples fight about money. If these fights happen at least once a week, however, that couple has a 30% greater chance of getting a divorce. The worst part? Even a divorce won’t necessarily put an end to fights about money.
Here’s a rundown of many common divorce-related financial issues, as well as som...

Is the economy improving? Despite what general trends may indicate, the only economic measure which really matters is how you’re doing personally. Since 2008, foreclosures have been an on-going issue for millions of Americans. Even today, many homeowners are still feeling the effects of the turbulent housing...

Is there any phrase more universally hated than “hidden fees”? While you should always read the details of any financial contract, doing so is certainly no guarantee you won’t be hit with unexpected charges. Many companies try to hide behind confusing legal language to add fees or charge your interest. But...

Are you newly married, or about to be married? If so, congratulations! Now, we don’t want to worry you, but the first few weeks of your marriage will set a tone for the rest of your lives together. You want to start your married life off with smart, healthy habits!
If your marriage is ever going to run into t...

If the time is now right for you to buy a house, whether due to a growing family or because you want your monthly payments to go into equity (and you want the mortgage interest deduction on you taxes), you will want to have the best credit scores possible. This will allow you to secure a mortgage on more favorab...